Theme 20: Fortitude

He could hear Aya calling to him, her form swam before her eyes, but not even her influence could reach him.

Then suddenly he was being shaken awake, though the haze, he realised Kagome had run up to him, was embracing him. His caws dug into her arms, but she refused to let go, calling Inuyasha's name frantically while trying to force Tetsaiga into his hands.

Was she mad, did she want to be killed?

"Inuyasha, Inuyasha!" she screamed "Wake up Inuyasha, fight it, don't give in!" she shook her head "You're better than this, Inuyasha!"

Her eyes were filled with fear, and though the haze, it reached a part of Inuyasha that resided within him. Sesshomaru felt the rage in his soul residing, slowly.

He managed to grab Tetsaiga, though his claws remained buried in her arm. He wanted her away. He bowed his head forward and found his nose buried in her hair, her scent continued to calm him.

Familiar, real.

Sesshomaru had seen Kagome angry, sad and happy. But he did not like this fear she displayed.

And yet, despite that fear, she held on, calming the beast that sought to tear her to pieces

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Eventually, she managed to bring his beast to heel and Sesshomaru collapsed.

When he woke his head was in her lap. Instantly, he wanted to move, such a position was beneath him, but his body refused to move, exhausted from his transformation.

She had not yet noticed him awake. Her arms were bandaged but from one of the deeper wounds, blood still seeped.

He remembered how she had held on to him, even at the cost of her own life. Human lives were so frail, so fragile and easily ended. Why would she go through such lengths for Inuyasha?

Suddenly, he was accosted by another of his accursed memories.

It was after his first Youkai transformation, he sat by the lake, feeling disgusted with himself.

He was a monster a beast, all his life he wanted to become stronger, his dream was to become a full Youkai, but not like this. He didn't want this bestiality, this instinctive carnage. This wasn't it. But was this all he was capable of?

Suddenly she appeared beside him, she sat down and offered him a towel.

"Keep it" he spat. He didn't want her near him, not after what he did. "You don't have to force yourself to stay by me" he said, staring off into space.

What could he do, how could he tell her what he felt. That he felt empty and confused. All he wanted stared him in the face today, but did he still want it id that's what it was? If he didn't want it, what more was there left for him?

He looked at her, her brown eyes said nothing, but he could feel her saying 'don't be stupid'

Suddenly he was angry "What's your problem! You know, I wish you'd all stop pussyfooting around me, because I don't have a problem with what happened" she said noting, only continued to look at him with those eyes of hers, like she could see into his heart. But that was impossible, no one could. "I don't give a dam about what I did!" he felt retched.

She only looked at him and said "Don't kid yourself"

And some of the anger melted away as he turned away from her.

Suddenly, she reached up and held him, her arms conveyed what she was trying to say and he understood without a word. She knew his heart, she knew how hard it was for him even though he said otherwise, she was stronger than him.

"Oh Inuyasha" she said softly "I know how you feel."

What could he say? Nothing, no words could say it. So he held her hand and hoped she'd understand. 'Kagome, I don't remember a thing from when I was transformed, it wasn't like that before. And the next time I transform, I may even come after you with these claws Kagome' and the thought tore him like to shreds like nothing else.

Kagome said nothing, she only continued to hold him just a little bit tighter and he knew she understood.

The memory came with such force, such power, he choked.

Kagome looked down at him, her eyes the same as they were in the memory "Inuyasha you're awake?"

He tore his eyes away from hers and looked to her wound. She covered it lightly with her hand "Oh this, this'll heal up real quick with some antibiotics and medicine" she smiled. Then looked down on him "Inuyasha, Don't worry" she said aloud "The transformation was just an accident, we'll help you learn about Tetsaiga, this won't happen again"

Her eyes were trying to convey something, but he wasn't Inuyasha, he didn't understand.

I've always felt Kagome and Inuyasha have this real thing going on with them, wither its romance or not doesn't matter, it's a strong bond. She doesn't have super powers; she's still a regular girl.

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